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Investing
in a Used CPAP Machine is Worth it

Without
health insurance, CPAP can be quite expensive, which
explains why used CPAP
machines are becoming so popular in recent
years. There are now many different websites and other companies
offering discounts on used and older model CPAP machines, but the
problem is sorting through them all to find the ones that are the real
deal, and not just trying to rip you off or take your
money for a
machine that doesn't function properly.

The majority of people who are required to use a
CPAP machine while sleeping to help take care of their sleep apnea
problems usually start off by simply renting a CPAP machine
and all of
the necessary components from a local medical supply company.

However,
even with proper health insurance, many people still have to pay some
of the costs associated with their CPAP rental out of their own pocket,
and over time this can add up to a lot of unnecessary expense. Still,
without insurance, you
could end up spending thousands of dollars on
CPAP related expenses over the course of your lifetime, leading to many
people looking for other alternatives.

Even
if you're not paying any of your CPAP expenses out of your own pocket,
there are still many other reasons why you should consider purchasing
your own machine, no matter whether you decide to buy a new or used
machine.

For starters, if you're
sleep apnea is serious enough that it requires the use of CPAP, you are
probably aware of just how much your quality of sleep suffers without
using the machine. For this reason, many people look to purchase a backup CPAP machine,
just in case any issues or problems occur with their standard machine.

While
technology has gotten better over the years, the truth is
that these machines can
still break down, and when this happens late at
night, you will most likely be forced to sleep without the aid of this
positive airway pressure, leading to a poor night's sleep due to
repeated apneas throughout the night.

This
can be disastrous if you
have a big meeting or presentation the next day, which is why it is
highly recommended that you purchase a backup CPAP machine.

Many
people also decide to purchase a backup CPAP machine to take with
them while travelling. No matter what the reason for you deciding to
buy your own machine, purchasing a used CPAP machine could save you a
ton of money compared to purchasing a new machine. Still,
there are a
few things you should definitely be aware of before going out and
buying a used machine.

Before
Buying a Used CPAP Machine, Know This

As
you are probably aware, a CPAP machine delivers a continuous stream
of air into a person's lungs, forcing its way past the soft tissue that
is obstructing the airway and leading to obstructive sleep
apnea.

While
you may think that the mask is the only part of the whole CPAP setup
that could get dirty, the truth is that the entire machine can be
exposed to bacteria or viruses.

For
this reason, it is of vital importance that all used machines are
thoroughly
cleaned and tested before being resold.

However,
the problem
is that many of the used machines you'll find for sale online,
especially on classified ad websites like Craigslist, are either being
sold by individuals or companies looking
to make a quick buck. This
means that most of the used CPAP machines you'll find for sale on these
sites have never been
properly cleaned and tested since they were last
used.

While
most people will give the machine a quick wipe down, this is
still not enough to ensure that the machine and its components are
completely free of potentially dangerous viruses and bacteria. For this
reason, you should only
consider purchasing a used machine from a
company that thoroughly tests and cleans their machines before
reselling them.

In
addition, any used machine should also come with brand new
bacteria/viral filters for both the intake and outtake ports.
The
intake filter first filters out the air coming into the machine,
ensuring that viruses and bacteria are not allowed to take hold inside
the inner workings of the machine.

Still,
if the filter is damaged,
old, or otherwise not working properly, some things may slip past the
filter into the machine. For this reason, it is imperative that the
machine is cleaned properly to ensure that anything that may have
gotten past the first filter and into the machine is removed.

This
is also what makes the second filter so important, as it ensures
that the air coming out the machine and into your lungs is actually
cleaner than
the surrounding air in your bedroom. This is also the
reason why it is so important that both filters are changed as well, or
else you might be breathing in the previous user's germs and the like.
Not recommended!

In
general, a CPAP machine is no different that the ventilators used in
hospitals, which are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected in between
patients to prevent risk of infection.

Used
Bi-PAP Machines

If
you suffer from central sleep apnea or another condition that
requires the use of a Bi-PAP machine, the majority of these same
companies also sell used
Bi-PAP machines. However, you may still have a
more difficult time finding a high quality, clean, used Bi-PAP machine,
as the use of these machines is simply not near as common as CPAP.
Nonetheless, with a little time and patience, you should still be able
to save yourself a decent amount of money by finding a used Bi-PAP
machine.